Why do visitors need health insurance?
International visitors, to Australia are generally not eligible for funding from Medicare when using our national health care system.
Like most countries in the world, health care costs in Australia can be expensive. Even a few days in hospital for a routine operation can cost thousands of dollars in hospital charges and doctors’ fees. This is where having a Medibank Overseas Visitors Health Cover can help.
For people visiting Australia, Overseas Visitors Health Cover can help pay towards the costs of a range of in-hospital procedures, such as ear, nose and throat procedures. It can also help pay towards the cost of Included out-of-hospital medical services, such as visits to a general practitioner (GP) for a cough or cold, or seeing a specialist for x-rays or blood tests. Medibank Extras cover can also be purchased separately for services such as dental and optical.
Overseas Visitors offer - Want 2 weeks free?*
Join Medibank Overseas Visitor Starter Hospital and Medical Cover by 31 December 2025, maintain cover for 14 consecutive days, then sign up to direct debit and you could enjoy 2 weeks free.*
Use promo code VISIT2
Learn more
More information about healthcare in Australia
What health insurance do I need for my Australian visa?
Are you planning on visiting Australia for work, study or travel? If the answer is yes, you will need to apply for a visa.
Should you go to the doctor, or the hospital emergency department?
There's a lot of confusion about when you should visit a doctor (GP), or call an ambulance to take you to the hospital emergency department.
Overseas health cover with Medibank
Find health cover to match your needs while you're in Australia, plus take out Overseas Workers Health Cover or Overseas Student Health Cover and receive your visa health insurance certificate as soon as you purchase online.
What to do if you get sick in Australia
Here is a simple guide to help you get the right medical attention if you need it.
Understanding waiting periods
All health funds have waiting periods. In short, a waiting period is a period of time you need to wait after taking out your cover before you can receive benefits for services or items covered.
What are out-of-pocket expenses?
It's any expense for a hospital, medical or extras service or item for which you won't be reimbursed by us. Read on to find out more about possible out-of-pocket expenses.
Why choose Medibank's Overseas Health Cover?
Good for you, visa complaint.
We have a range of options that can meet the visa health insurance requirements for working or studying in Australia. Should your visa status or health cover needs change, we can help find a cover that’s suitable. Visit medibank.com.au/visa-cover to find out more.
Australia’s leading health insurer.
We have over 300,000 people holding a range of visas among 4 million members. Plus, with over 40 years of experience in looking after the health and wellbeing of millions of Australians and international visitors, you’re in safe hands.
Protect against the unexpected.
On top of meeting any health insurance requirements for your visa, our covers include a comprehensive range of hospital services‡ and unlimited emergency ambulance services Australia-wide.∑
24/7 Medibank Nurse and Mental Health Support.
Medibank health insurance members can chat to a registered nurse or mental health professional and get guidance on what they can do next. Call 1800 644 325 or chat online any time of the day or night, 7 days a week at no extra cost.&
Information about healthcare terms
Need some help?
We’re here to help you choose the health cover that matches your needs while you’re in Australia.
Contact Medibank how it suits you; messaging, WeChat, in-store or by phone.
Visitor, working and working holiday (OVHC)
Speak to one of our friendly staff for sales and policy enquiries.
Medibank 微信公众号
扫描二维码或搜索Medibank_AU，获取新会员优惠、促销资讯以及健康信息和中文服务。
Things you should know
+ For ambulance attendance and transportation to a hospital where immediate professional attention is required and your medical condition is such that you couldn't be transported any other way.
While we hope you find this information helpful, please note that it is general in nature. It is not health advice, and is not tailored to meet your individual health needs. You should always consult a trusted health professional before making decisions about your health care. While we have prepared the information carefully, we can’t guarantee that it is accurate, complete or up-to-date. And while we may mention goods or services provided by others, we aren’t specifically endorsing them and can’t accept responsibility for them. For these reasons we are unable to accept responsibility for any loss that may be sustained from acting on this information (subject to applicable consumer guarantees).
*Offer available from 1 October 2025 until 31 December 2025. Must take out eligible Overseas Visitor Starter Hospital and Medical cover (any excess level) by 31 December 2025. Must not have held any Medibank Overseas Visitors Health cover within the last 60 days. For new members on new Overseas Visitors Starter Hospital and Medical memberships in Australia. Must take out eligible Overseas Visitor Starter Hospital and Medical cover. Must be over the age of 18. Offer available via phone, retail, web, messaging. Must quote promo code ‘VISIT2’ when joining. Member must sign up to and maintain direct debit. Excludes Overseas Visitors Everyday Hospital and Medical, Overseas Workers Health covers, all Corporate covers, all residential hospital and extras covers, Overseas Students Health Cover, Ambulance Cover, ahm covers, and other selected covers. Waiting periods may apply to hospital cover. Not available if the Policy Holder has already taken up this offer. Not available to Medibank employees. Member take up of the offer is deemed acceptance of these Terms and Conditions. Medibank reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions without notice from time to time. It is the customers' responsibility to ensure they hold an appropriate health cover product to meet their visa requirements.
2 weeks free terms: Member must maintain direct debit and keep policy premium payments up to date and hold eligible cover for 14 consecutive days from the policy start date to get next 2 weeks free. If the member changes to an ineligible cover during this period, or they terminate or suspend their cover, 2 weeks free will not be issued.
&Some referred services may involve out of pocket costs and waiting periods may apply.